Event

Chapter Two

In an unpredictable world, one thing you can count on is Neil Simon. His romantic comedies are appropriately contemporary, invariably witty and fundamentally predictable. Entertaining? Sure, but there are no leaps of faith, no challenging metaphors, nothing to think about too deeply.
Chapter Two, is Simon's most autobiographical work, reflecting the period in his life following the death of his first wife and through the romance and marriage to his second wife, Marsha Mason.
Devastated by the death of his beloved wife, recent widower, George Schneider, is encouraged by his younger brother Leo to start dating again. After a series of bad matches George becomes even more depressed. Then Leo comes up with Jennie Malone who after a disastrous dead end marriage is equally apathetic about beginning the next chapter of her life, yet turns out to be a keeper.
The first act is all about falling in love. Neil Simon is a master of witty dialog and here the two main characters are allowed to actually fall in love through and with their wit.
The second act is a pretty deep exploration of just how complicated the characters love can be. George is deeply in love, but he feels terribly guilty about taking up with a new woman. Its almost as if he thinks hes deserting his first wife. Things get pretty nasty for a while, but Jennie manages to weather out the storm and the ending is a happy one.
In a hilarious, farcical subplot, Leo has a fling with Faye, Jennie's dizzy and neurotic married friend.
Chapter Two has been hailed by critics as Lovely, whimsical, touching and always funny...most of the time downright hilarious."